Transforming invasive pufferfish into sustainable fishmeal

The EU-funded LagoMeal project has innovatively converted the invasive pufferfish, a significant threat to Mediterranean marine life and fisheries, into valuable fishmeal and oil. By deactivating the fish's toxin, the project processes 1,500 tons of pufferfish into 250 tonnes of fishmeal and 100 tonnes of fish oil annually, offering an eco-friendly solution to aquafeed production and invasive species management. This initiative not only provides a new income source for local fishers but also contributes to sustainable aquaculture practices, with trials showing promising growth in European sea bass fed on pufferfish meal. (European Commission)